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Sold by ME. · David Thomas Mejia, Broker · CA DRE #01448424 · Veteran-owned · San Diego County
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How to lower your homeowners insurance

Vegetation cutback, home hardening, monitored alarms and water shutoffs can lower premiums and make a San Diego home easier to insure.

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What insurers look at

Ways to cut your premium

Vegetation cutback

  • Clear Zone 0 (0 to 5 ft) and keep defensible space to 100 ft
  • Limb trees up and away from the roof
  • Ask for a re-inspection and document it with dated photos

Home hardening

  • Class A roof
  • Ember-resistant vents (1/16 to 1/8 in mesh)
  • 6 in non-combustible base on walls
  • Enclosed eaves, metal gutter guards, dual-pane windows

Monitored alarms

  • Central-station monitored fire and burglar alarms earn the most
  • Send your monitoring certificate to your insurer
  • Smoke alarms in every bedroom are required by law anyway

Water protection

  • Automatic water shutoff valve
  • Leak sensors at every water source
  • Updated plumbing (no polybutylene or failing galvanized)

Policy moves

  • Raise your deductible
  • Bundle home and auto
  • Shop with an independent broker every year
  • If you are dropped, the California FAIR Plan is the backstop; pair it with a difference-in-conditions policy

Need help?

  • California Department of Insurance consumer line: 800-927-4357
  • Ask insurers which Safer from Wildfires discounts they offer
Buy links

Alarms and devices that may help

Monitored smart security system

Central-station monitored burglar systems are the alarms insurers most often discount. Ask for a monitoring certificate.

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Monitored smoke and CO detectors

Fire alarms that alert a monitoring center (not just your phone) often earn a bigger discount than burglar-only.

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Automatic water shutoff valve

Shuts off the main when a leak is detected. Several insurers give credits or rebates.

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Wi-Fi water leak sensors

Cheap early warning under sinks, toilets, water heaters and washers.

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10-year sealed smoke alarms

Required by California for battery-only alarms. No battery changes.

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Video doorbell and cameras

Deters theft and package loss; footage helps with claims.

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Discounts vary by insurer. Call your agent before buying and ask which devices and monitoring they credit.

Do it this year

Projects that pay off

Test and upgrade smoke and CO alarmsWeek 1 · January · 1 hourInstall water leak sensors and an auto shutoffWeek 5 · January · 2 hoursRoof tune-up: drone check, seal penetrations and ridgesRoof tune-up: drone check, seal penetrations and ridgesWeek 10 · March · 1 dayVegetation cutback for defensible spaceVegetation cutback for defensible spaceWeek 23 · June · 1 to 2 daysWildfire hardening: ember-resistant ventsWeek 36 · September · 1 dayInstall gutter guardsWeek 43 · October · Half a day
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